Operation

"Half-step Mahayana... to think it could be this terrifying." Realizing they stood no chance, Bai Qianshuang immediately turned to Ye Chuan and said, "Ye Chuan, you have the ability to teleport. You should go."

She knew full well that Ye Chuan's teleportation had almost no limitations—except that he couldn’t take others with him. If possible, he could escape alone.

"We leave together or not at all," Ye Chuan shook his head in refusal.

Bai Qianshuang stared at the mountain-sized mass of crumbling rocks blotting out the sky. With a sudden push, she shoved Ye Chuan away. "You're the only one I care about..."

"I will protect you."

"Fool."

Before she could finish, she transformed into a streak of light, charging toward the falling mountain. Her spirit sword erupted with unprecedented radiance, golden and blue sword energy fanning out like a peacock's tail as she slashed toward the colossal mass—

She would exhaust every last ounce of her strength to tear open an escape route for Ye Chuan.

"Pathetic!" Qin Tianya burst into laughter, as if watching an ant resist. He formed a hand seal, and the mountain became shrouded in blinding light, carrying an annihilating force.

"Die!"

A flash of resolve crossed Bai Qianshuang's eyes. Spirit veins surfaced across her skin as she began burning her own soul.

But just then, Ye Chuan snapped his fingers behind her.

"Tianxuan Continent, log out."

Hearing his voice, Bai Qianshuang froze. Then—everything went black.

......

A quiet room. A familiar ceiling.

Bai Qianshuang sat dumbly on the bed, her stray hair sticking up slightly as she looked around like a lost child.

She was back...

She hadn’t expected to return.

Such an incredible ability.

To emerge completely unscathed from such a dire situation...

"Ye Chuan..."

"I told you we could leave together." Ye Chuan sat across from her, pinching her soft cheek with an amused expression. "So, who exactly were you calling a fool earlier?"

It took Bai Qianshuang a long moment to process everything before she finally lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"I... I thought..."

Ye Chuan was about to speak when he felt his shoulder dampen with tears. He simply smiled and didn’t say another word.

"It’s alright. I’m here."

It took Bai Qianshuang a while to calm down. As she looked around her room, the familiar comfort of her blankets now felt like an indescribable sanctuary.

She loved her room.

Pulling the blanket to her nose, she took a deep breath before hugging it tightly.

Then, as if remembering something urgent, she blurted, "W-what about Qin Tianya? What happened there?"

"Time probably froze. Or maybe there was a slight disturbance," Ye Chuan said. "No worries. Next time, I’ll go to Tianxuan Continent alone."

With Bai Qianshuang there, he couldn’t fight freely—especially since she was still weak after inheriting the Luo Xuan Empress’s legacy.

"No! If you go alone, you’ll have to face him—"

"Fool." Ye Chuan flicked her forehead lightly.

"Who said I’d go right away? Can’t I power up first before heading back?"

He’d get stronger, then return to beat Qin Tianya to a pulp.

Though, Ye Chuan suspected his current strength might already be enough—he’d test it tomorrow.

Between Ye Yue’s cognitive interference and his own magic immunity, Qin Tianya wouldn’t stand a chance.

Just like last time.

Rubbing her forehead, Bai Qianshuang fluttered her lashes like a scolded child.

"Alright, you’ve inherited the Luo Xuan Empress’s legacy. Focus on refining that power for now," Ye Chuan said.

"Mm." She nodded softly, but then noticed him standing up as if to leave.

Panicked, she grabbed his sleeve.

"Ye Chuan."

"Hm?" He turned back.

"Stay... tonight?" she whispered. "I’ve reached the Enlightenment Realm now. My spiritual energy should be enough for you to... absorb, right?"

Ye Chuan blinked before realizing what she meant.

Ah. A duo queue invitation.

"Then... should we take a bath first?"

Bai Qianshuang didn’t answer, only dipping her chin slightly—her ears already burning red.

Truthfully, Ye Chuan had always hesitated because he feared awakening her empress memories.

But...

If they truly loved each other, even if those memories resurfaced, she wouldn’t just... chop him up, right?

Over time, he had grown to love them—whether as a lover, family, or even a pet?

But they had undeniably carved a place in his heart, making it impossible to remain as ruthlessly self-serving as before.

Scooping Bai Qianshuang into his arms, he watched her curl up like a shy little animal before murmuring,

"Let’s go."

"..."

......

......

The next morning.

"Yaaawn—"

The sound of a door unlocking came from a nearby room. Lan Xiaoke stumbled out in an oversized T-shirt, her white hair disheveled and her plump thighs bare as she rubbed her eyes groggily.

"So sleepy..."

Scratching her butt, she shuffled toward the fridge for milk—only to freeze when she saw Ye Chuan stepping out of Bai Qianshuang’s room, also yawning.

"Morning, Ye Chuan."

"Morning."

Curious, Lan Xiaoke peeked into the room. "Where’s Qianshuang?"

"Still asleep. Probably won’t be up for lunch."

"Wow." Lan Xiaoke’s eyes widened.

"What?"

"Nothing~"

"..." Ye Chuan yawned again. Honestly, he had planned to take the lead, but the tables had turned quickly.

Bai Qianshuang knew way too many moves.

Had this girl been... secretly studying?

As he grabbed a milk carton for Lan Xiaoke, he suddenly paused. "Did you brush your teeth?"

"Yep." She grinned unconvincingly.

Ye Chuan pinched her cheek and sniffed lightly, making her giggle and squirm from the ticklish sensation.

"Doesn’t smell like you washed your face. Go clean up first." He gave her butt a light pat, shooing her toward the bathroom.

"Ugh, milk first tastes better after brushing!"

"Nope."

"Ye Chuaaan~" Lan Xiaoke clung to his waist, blinking up at him like a pleading kitten.

"Not happening. Now, or I’m cutting your allowance."

"Fiiine..." Whimpering, she trudged back to her room.

Once she was gone, Ye Chuan twisted open a milk carton and took a swig—then paused.

"Oh right. I didn’t brush either."

"Eh, whatever. I’m not like Xiaoke."